SuperShe island: new women-only holiday resort to open in Finland

A new women-only holiday resort is to open this summer on a small island off the coast of Finland.

Founded by Kristina Roth, SuperShe island “promises to be a relaxing female-only oasis as Roth has enforced a strict no-men policy,” says the New York Post.

The idea for a holiday destination exclusively for females came to Roth while she was in California and noticed the effect men had on women when they arrived. “When there was a cute guy, women would put on lipstick,” Roth told the Post.

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Roth said her aim is for women to be able to get away from society's pressures and embrace the atmosphere of an all-female destination.

“We're the average of the five people we surround ourselves with,” Roth told CNN. “And my philosophy is if you surround yourself with amazing women - and if you can bring together amazing women globally - then you're going to be the average of that group.”

At SuperShe island, the idea will be to focus on yourself and your friends, Roth told The Post: “The idea at SuperShe Island is, hey, focus on yourself - don’t try to get your hormones up.”

Despite her idea, Roth said she “loves men” - and could even be open to male guests in the future. But at the moment, a representative for SuperShe told The Independent: “Women need time to spend with other women” where they can “nurture each other's dreams and desires.”

Currently only members of Roth’s inner circle have stayed on the island. But from June, anyone can apply to become a SuperShe member through the organisation's website, and by undergoing an interview.

Roth intends to invite some VIP SuperShes to the island for a trial cycle in June and then the island will officially be open to the general public from 1 July.

“Honestly, for me, the definition of SuperShe is you’re an independent woman and you know what you want,” Roth said.

But not everyone is so taken with Roth's plans, with some women branding the idea elitist on social media.

“The retreat being a female-only space doesn't make it inherently feminist,” travel critic Ruth Pearson, told CNN. “It is a space created by a rich, white woman for other women like her.”

Pearson is particularly concerned by the vetting process.

"These factors will disproportionately affect people of colour, people with disabilities, trans women and those who are gender non-conforming, meaning this island is only for one very narrow type of woman," says Pearson.